Indiana's elected leaders need to make up their minds about what they want our state to be and to become.

Gov. Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President David Long talk often about their desire to send the message that people from all backgrounds can feel accepted and safe here and that Indiana welcomes talent from around the world as we continue to build our economic future on a growing foundation of innovative, tech-oriented businesses.

The state also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to attract businesses and talent here.

But then state leaders undercut such efforts by refusing to do the right things that would send a clear signal that Indiana truly values and welcomes everyone and rejects hate.

This week, the General Assembly once again failed to pass hate crimes legislation. For at least another year, Indiana will remain one of only five states without such legislation.

It's more than disappointing. It's appalling.

That's especially so in light of the reason why the hate crimes proposal failed this year. Senate Bill 418 would have allowed judges to hand out tougher sentences for crimes motivated by race, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

But the same socially conservative organizations and political leaders who pushed the state into the Religious Freedom Restoration Act debacle three years ago objected to the inclusion of legal protections for transgender individuals.

Holcomb, as detailed by IndyStar reporter Tony Cook, told Senate leadership that it would be better to kill the bill than to strip out the gender identity language and risk another RFRA-type public relations disaster.

So conservative senators put the legislation on hold until a legislative deadline passed.

Just a reminder: 45 states already have enacted protections against hate crimes. Why is such a basic but important step so difficult for this state's political leaders?

Why can't they see the negative message they send to business leaders inside and outside the state, including Amazon's site selection team? Even more important, why can't they understand the cruel message they've sent again to many citizens?

Passing a hate crimes bill should be a simple test of leadership for government officials who say they want to help promote a welcoming and inclusive culture. Sadly, a misguided bloc of Indiana's elected leaders have failed that test again.